While most projector makers stick with DLP to throw images on a wall, a smaller crowd still swears by LCD tech. Epson is the big name in that camp, relying on a 3-chip LCD system for richer color and smoother motion. Wanbo, on the other hand, isn’t exactly a household name in the U.S., and they lean on a single-chip LCD setup for most of their models.
Now they’re stepping into the 2025 portable projector arms race — a category that’s hotter than ever thanks to new models from LG, Hisense, Anker, and others — with the launch of the Vali 1 and T2 Ultra. Both are compact, both are portable, and both aim to squeeze as much big-screen fun as possible out of a budget-friendly price tag.
Wanbo Vali 1 LCD Projector: Affordable Big-Screen Viewing Without the DLP Price Tag
With the Vali 1, LCD projection technology is just the beginning. The Wanbo Vali 1 includes a built-in adjustable stand with a 200° rotation range, enabling precise image placement on walls, ceilings, or projector screens. Its ±30° auto-keystone correction straightens the image in seconds, ensuring accurate alignment without manual adjustments.
You can project onto a screen, wall, or ceiling. Use it to turn your ceiling into a nighttime star field, enjoy movies or games on an indoor or outdoor screen, or mix and match for different viewing setups. The Vali 1 offers versatile projection options.
Brightness: Despite its compact size and budget-friendly price, the Vali 1 delivers 900 ANSI lumens of brightness—nearly twice that of many competitors. Combined with its native 1080p resolution, it produces sharp, detailed images.
Sound: The Vali 1 features built-in 6-watt x 2 full-range stereo speakers. For private listening or more powerful audio, a headphone jack is available for connecting headphones or an external speaker/amplifier.
Streaming: Running Android 11, the Vali 1 connects via Wi-Fi to over 7,000 Google Play apps, including Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, HBO Max, and more. Netflix certification ensures smooth, reliable, high-quality playback.
Google Assistant: Built-in Google Assistant enables hands-free voice control for quick navigation and content search. Chromecast integration allows easy wireless screen mirroring from compatible devices. The included remote offers one-touch access to popular streaming services for added convenience.
Easy Auto Setup: The Wanbo Vali 1 features ASA 3.0, combining auto-focus, auto-keystone correction, ScreenFit, and obstacle avoidance. This intelligent projection system automatically detects screen boundaries, sharpens focus, aligns the image, and adjusts for any obstructions, ensuring a fast, accurate, and hassle-free setup.
Quiet Cooling: The Wanbo Vali 1 stands out with its largest cooling fan yet—10 cm in diameter and 3.3 cm tall—delivering efficient, whisper-quiet operation even during extended use.
Compact Design: The power socket is cleverly mounted on the gimbal bracket instead of the projector body, reducing cable clutter and allowing unrestricted movement. It supports multiple mounting options, including ceiling, wall, stand, and bracket setups.
Game Mode and Ambient Art Walls: Game Mode reduces latency and boosts refresh responsiveness for smoother gameplay. Ambient Art Wall mode projects calming visuals like ocean waves or starfields, turning any room into a dynamic art display.
Wanbo T2 Ultra Projector: Lower Brightness but Sharp Colors and Easy Auto-Alignment
As the step-down from the Vali 1, the Wanbo T2 Ultra offers lower brightness at 500 ANSI lumens. Still, it delivers enhanced color accuracy and contrast for a satisfying viewing experience, especially in darker environments. Like the Vali 1, the T2 Ultra includes ASA 3.0 auto-alignment technology, making focus and image alignment simple even from unconventional angles.
Its integrated 120° gimbal stand easily adapts to various projection surfaces—including ceilings—freeing users from the limits of fixed setups.
Powered by Android TV 11, the T2 Ultra allows seamless streaming in 1080p from popular services like Netflix and Disney+, guaranteeing vibrant, high-definition content anytime, anywhere.
For audio, it features 10W dual full-range speakers with dual bass diaphragms that extend low-frequency response for richer sound.
Comparison
| Vali 1 | T2 Ultra | |
| Product Type | Compact Lifestyle Projector | Compact Lifestyle Projector |
| Price | $319.99 | $249.99 |
| Display Technology | LCD (single chip) | LCD (single chip) |
| Light Source | LED (20,000 hr use life) | LED (20,000 hr use life) |
| Brightness | 900 ANSI Lumens | 500 ANSI Lumens |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 FHD | 1920 x 1080 FHD |
| Lens | 3 Pcs aspherical pure glass lens | 3 Pcs aspherical pure glass lens |
| Zoom Function | 50%-100% | 50%-100% |
| Throw Ratio | 1.35:1 | 1.2: 1 |
| Screen Size | 40-130 Inch | 45-140 Inch |
| Projection Distance | 1.2-3.9m | 1.2-3.8m |
| Keystone Correction | Auto | Auto |
| Focus Adjustment | Auto | Auto |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Auto | Auto |
| Screen Alignment | Auto | Auto |
| Speaker System | 6W x 2 | 5W x 2 |
| Fan Noise | ≤28dB/m | ≤30dB/m |
| Internal Volume | 500CC | 370CC |
| Bluetooth | Ver 5.0 | Ver 5.0 |
| WiFi | Dual Band 2.4/5GHz | Dual Band 2.4/5GHz |
| Smart OS | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Inputs | HDMI x 1 USB x 1 AUX 3.5mm x 1 | HDMI x 1 USB x 1 AUX 3.5mm x 1 |
| Product Color | White | White |
| Dimensions | 254 x 188.8 x 227.6 mm 10 x 7.43 x 8.97 inches | 145 x 142 x 219 mm 5.71 x 5.6 x 8.62 inches |
| Weight | 2.8Kg / 6 lbs 3 oz | 1.5Kg / 3 lbs 5 oz |
The Bottom Line
The projector market is drowning in cheap models flaunting specs that rarely deliver—but Wanbo bucks that trend with the Vali 1 and T2 Ultra, two practical contenders for small-room use. The Vali 1 stands out with a claimed 900 ANSI lumens, nearly doubling the brightness of pricier lifestyle projectors like the Xgimi MoGo 4 (450 lumens) and Samsung Freestyle (550 lumens). Both Wanbo models use LCD tech instead of the more common DLP, avoiding the color-wheel rainbow effect and offering balanced white and color brightness—something DLP can’t match. This design choice, paired with a single LCD chip and LED light source, also trims manufacturing costs, translating to value for users.
With native 1080p resolution, Android 11, Google Assistant, easy auto-alignment, and a flexible gimbal stand, the Vali 1 delivers solid features for its price. The T2 Ultra, however, falls short with just 500 ANSI lumens, making it best suited for darker rooms and less versatile overall.
In comparison, the Xgimi MoGo 4 and Samsung Freestyle offer strong brand recognition and features but can’t match Wanbo’s brightness or flexible mounting options. If you prioritize brightness, sharp image alignment, and a no-nonsense smart OS at a budget price, the Wanbo Vali 1 deserves serious consideration. The T2 Ultra is a decent secondary option but doesn’t quite deliver the same bang for your buck.
Price & Availability
- The Wanbo Vali 1 is available for $319.99 at Amazon.
- The Wanbo T2 Ultra is available for $249.99 at Amazon.
Related Reading
- Dangbei MP1 Max 4K Lifestyle Projector: Half Laser, Half LED, All Out to Replace Your TV
- XGIMI Launches MoGo 4 & MoGo 4 Laser: Compact Projectors with Google TV & Harman Kardon Audio
- Hisense M2 Pro: The Smallest 4K Laser Projector Yet—with Big Picture Ambitions
- TCL Enters the Video Projector Market with the Portable A1
David M.
August 13, 2025 at 3:45 pm
There’s a $90 coupon until 9/1 for the Vali 1 and the T2 is currently priced at $149.99. Both sounded like huge bargains at retail, so with the discounts, my mind is simply blown.
Ian White
August 13, 2025 at 3:55 pm
David,
That does sound like a “bargain” but just keep in mind that they are affordable compared to the competition for a reason. Curious to know how either one works out.
IW